Regional Director, Middle East
Please note that the deadline is based on Korean Standard Time Zone (KST, UTC+9)
INTRODUCTION TO GGGI
The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) is a treaty-based international, inter-governmental organization dedicated to supporting and promoting strong, inclusive and sustainable economic growth in developing countries and emerging economies. To learn more please visit about GGGI web page.
The Regional Director for Middle East will lead and shape the strategic direction of the Directorate of Green Growth Implementation (DGGI) in the region, mobilizing resources and managing a diverse portfolio of country programs, including staff and multi-million-dollar budgets. The Regional Director will monitor trends and emerging issues affecting country portfolios, developing strategic responses to capitalize on opportunities and address challenges through the formulation and implementation of country planning frameworks, strategies, and activities aligned with GGGI's Strategic Plan 2030 and contextualized under the Middle East Regional Strategy.
The role will strengthen integration between country teams and Headquarters, foster collaboration across workstreams, particularly on thematic priorities and programmatic solutions, and ensure the effective participation of country programs in inter- and intra-divisional processes. The Director will provide strategic leadership and quality oversight to enhance program delivery, expand GGGI's comparative advantage in-country, drive resource mobilization, and cultivate strong partnerships with global, regional, and local stakeholders, including development partners, ministries of finance, and economic planning agencies.
PURPOSE
The Regional Director plays a critical role in aligning GGGI's corporate strategy with in-country operations across the Middle East region. The position oversees the strategic, programmatic, and operational delivery of a multi-country portfolio, ensuring results that are impactful, timely, and financially sound. The RD reports directly to the Deputy Executive Director of Green Growth Implementation. The Regional Director will:
- Oversee country operations, including program design, business development, project implementation, and stakeholder engagement.
- Represent the portfolio to the Management Team, with responsibility for results, financial performance, and human resources.
- Drive resource mobilization efforts, including proposal development and partnership building, with a particular emphasis on Core-funding, funding from Core Contributors, philanthropies, and investors from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) of Arab States.
- Lead results reporting, monitoring, and evaluation to ensure continuous improvement and accountability.
- Provide strategic guidance and leadership to the Regional Office (RO) team, and Country Representatives for growth and expansion, quality of delivery, and talent management.
- Consolidate the growth and expansion as the strategic evolution of GGGI operations in Middle East in response to the demands and needs in the LEVANT Sub-region and the specificity of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) of Arab States sub-region.
- Maintain GGGI’s Core Contributors and expand the Core-donors base of in the GCC sub-region.
- Position the Regional Office as the organization's principal gateway for influencing continental agendas, catalyzing investment, supporting Member States, and building enduring partnerships that advance sustainable and inclusive green growth
ENGAGEMENT
The Regional Director will serve as a key liaison between Country Programs, Sub-Regional Operational Hubs, Headquarters, and external partners, ensuring strategic alignment and high-quality delivery. This includes:
- Lead the development of projects and programs to meet the targets set in GGGI's Strategic Plan 2030 and the Middle East Regional Strategy.
- Foster strategic partnerships with high-level government counterparts, philanthropies, bilateral and multilateral donors, MDBs, UN agencies, philanthropies, and the private sector.
- Support country teams in developing and implementing resource mobilization plans aligned with corporate priorities.
- Build donor confidence in GGGI's in-country delivery and maintain ongoing communication with current and potential partners.
- Ensure that lessons learned and knowledge generated in the region are captured, shared internally, and leveraged in other GGGI programs.
DELIVERY
The Regional Director is accountable for ensuring that all country programs within the Middle East portfolio deliver on their commitments with quality, timeliness, and impact:
- Develop and manage a well-integrated regional program aligned with GGGI's Strategic Directions and Middle East Regional Strategy.
- Ensure corporate-level knowledge products and innovations are applied in country and regional programming.
- Oversee the design and implementation of Country Planning Frameworks (CPFs).
- Monitor programmatic and financial performance, taking corrective action where needed.
- Implement results-based management and quality assurance frameworks across country offices.
- Promote cross-country collaboration and knowledge exchange to strengthen delivery on thematic priorities.
- Contribute to corporate strategy development and ensure country strategies reflect it.
- Support thought leadership and technical contributions in the Middle East region's thematic focus areas.
REQUIREMENTS
QUALIFICATIONS
- Master's degree in international development, public policy, environmental studies, economics, or a related green growth field.
- 10-15 years of relevant professional experience, with at least 7-9 years in a senior leadership position managing complex, multi-country programs in an international and multicultural context.
- Preferably 10 years of experience as an expert in one or more key thematic areas such as sustainable landscapes, sustainable finance, energy, or other relevant sectors.
- Proven track record managing large budgets, diverse teams, and multi-stakeholder partnerships.
- Fluency in English is required.
- Fluency in Arabic is a plus.
FUNCTIONAL
- An inspiring, inclusive and collaborative leader with strong active listening skills, with a proven track record of effectively building, managing, and nurturing a diverse team of professionals in an international setting, and providing strategic and practical guidance to country representatives on exploring and designing the delivery-oriented green growth project and programs
- Proven project, program, and portfolio management skills and ability to apply economics into green growth policy options and mainstream green growth into policy formulation and implementation in developing countries
- Extensive track record of effectively engaging stakeholders and mobilizing resources from the public and/or Strong strategic thinking skills with proven experience of developing and implementing strategies.
CORPORATE
- Understand and actively support GGGI's mission, vision, and values
- Promote an organizational culture of trust, transparency, respect, and partnership
- Excel at problem solving, ask questions and seek support when needed, share easily information and knowledge with others both internally and externally
- Manage emotions and stress positively, build rapport, and resolve conflict easily
- Strong ability to work independently and/or remotely, while maintaining productivity
WORKING CONDITIONS
This is a G13 grade level position under GGGI's International Salary Scale, with a base salary starting at USD 198,852 per annum. In addition, for international hires, GGGI offers a competitive expatriate package that includes a 20% annual base salary expatriate allowance, relocation support, and financial assistance for children's education. Eligible staff also receive annual home leave travel support, health insurance, a 15% organizational retirement contribution, and 27 days of annual leave, all governed by GGGI staff regulations.
GGGI offers flexible work arrangements, including telecommuting and remote work (outside of duty station), to support work-life balance and long-term staff well-being while maintaining high performance.
Please note that the deadline is based on Korean Standard Time Zone (KST, UTC+9)
Child protection – GGGI is committed to child protection, irrespective of whether a
